The focus of this study was to explore how incorporating biographical knowledge into the daily routine and care of an individual with dementia can bring about changes in their behaviors that impact quality of care and quality of life. This chapter assembles the major findings of the study, considers the unique contribution to the research and practice of the care of people with dementia in a long term care setting. The implications for further research discussed as well as limitations of the study considered.
Discussion
The study makes a unique contribution to the existing literature on biographical approaches in dementia care. The findings suggest a positive effect of this approach for people with dementia in long term care setting. Similar to Life Story Work, Reminiscence Therapy and Meaningful activities this study indicates a number of benefits.
First, it promotes increased understanding of the person. It enables nursing home staff to see a person in the context of his whole life. This in turn leads into deeper relationships. The voice of the resident with dementia can be heard when he or she is seen as a person and not just as a patient. The uniqueness of person’s needs and values can only be understood and adequately addressed by knowing his or hers life story. As in case of Rosemary, by learning about her life experiences the staff were able to see not a “mean and loud woman” but somebody who expresses her fear of water getting into her ears, or attachment to
We know that a combination of lack of public and professional awareness, late diagnosis, negative media images, myths, stereotypes and negative experiences all contribute to a general fear of dementia. Individuals and carers can be supported to overcome their fears. There are many ways that individuals and careers can be supported is by gaining information and advice from going online, reading book’s/ leaflets, discussing the issue with other family members.
The development of a dementia environment approach will highly impact the improvement of life of people living with dementia involving their family and carers, evidently reducing the stigma linked with the condition. The need to physically and socially design an approach for the progressing ageing population, and better comprehension of the issues affecting the dementia suffering elderly. Life Community Village is a specially designed and self-contained village for dementia-affected people imitating a normal daily life. It visions a change of approach in dementia care in the future and cope with the growing number of issues of dementia in the ageing population. Its mission on the other hand, is focused on delivering a holistic and person-centric approach by leading and optimizing a normal life for dementia-suffering elderly. Also providing a dementia-friendly community and creating a society that the dementia-suffering person can engage in. In the current increasing population of older Australians, there is over a million that has received a form of aged care support and services every year. This is provided through the collaboration of funding and administration of the local, state and federal government. Meanwhile, according to Australian statistics, there are more than 353,800 who are living with dementia. In less than five years, it is projected to rise to 400,000; and due to the fact that there is currently no cure for the condition, and with the
Dementia sufferers communicate in many different ways. They may not be able to speak but they can communicate non-verbally with positive or negative behaviour. They can also communicate using body language and through posture.
Demonstrate how an individual with dementia has been valued, included and able to engage in daily life.
In dementia care is a key aspect of best practice. It is a way of caring for a person with dementia as an individual with unique qualities. It means looking at the world from the person’s point of view ‘standing in their place’ as it were and appreciating how they may be feeling.
• Every individual, including individuals with dementia, has their unique life history, lifestyle, culture and preferences, including their likes, dislikes, hobbies and interests, which makes an individualised approach in care necessary.
2.2 Explain how positive interactions with individuals who have dementia can contribute to their wellbeing
The research aims at determining the affect of dementia on the lives of individuals and how it impacts on their social interactions. The research will also identify the ways in which aging individuals can refrain themselves from falling prey to this disease. It will highlight some important information for caregivers who will better understand this disease and will know how to deal with people who have this disease. As we all
The goals of this case study are to gather empirical evidence through comprehensive research to make an observable difference in the spouses caring for their loved ones with dementia. The problem spouses are facing while providing care for a loved one stricken with dementia can be overwhelming. First we assessed the quality of life in spouses caring for loved one with dementia. Second we wanted to provide concrete tools for the spouses who are the caregivers for loved ones with dementia. Thirdly we wanted to educate and instruct on improving quality of life for the spouses.
Patients with dementia are highly subject to psychosocial interventions. Thus, frank will tend to rely on his two children (Thomas and Jenny) and staff at the residential home for support and protection. Psychosocial model of care involves psychological therapy, which can be delivered on a one-to-one/group basis to meet important psychological needs as well as have impact on physiological level (Bartle and Frankland, 2008). These psychological therapies include Cognitive stimulation therapy (C.S.T), Reminiscence and Animal
This paper is a critical analysis of two academic papers: McKeown, J., Ryan, T., Ingleton, C., and Clarke, A., 2015, ‘You have to be mindful of whose story it is ': The challenges of undertaking life story work with people with dementia and their families. Dementia, (Qualitative) and Milne, A., Guss, R., and Russ, A., 2014, Psycho-educational support for relatives of people with a recent diagnosis of mild to moderate dementia: An evaluation of a ‘Course for Carers '. Dementia. (Quantitative) These papers have been selected as they embrace contrasting research strategies on Dementia- qualitative and quantitative. The main aim of this analysis is to underline the positive/negative facts in the academic papers in terms of the
Dementia is an extremely common disease among the elderly, with 4 million Americans currently suffering from the Alzheimer’s type alone. Figures show that 3% of people between the ages of 65-74 suffer from the disease, rapidly increasing to 19% for the 75-84 age bracket, and as high as 47% for the over 85s. Therefore, it is easy to see why Dementia is such a large part of many people’s lives, whether they are suffering from the condition themselves, or have an elderly relative who requires full time care just to undertake simple day to day tasks. The disease can be extremely traumatic for the patient and their families, as the person, who may have been extremely lively and bright throughout their
Dementia care offers support and services to an individual affected by the disease itself, which is dementia. It addresses the right and needs of the person with dementia and their families. Improving quality of life and changing attitudes towards dementia is the main goal of dementia care. Dementia care also provides quality of care, maintain dignity and promote health, security and comfort in consideration with the standard of care and ethical guidelines (Adams & Manthorpe, 2003).
People lose height, skin becomes loose, hair becomes gray, people become covered in wrinkles and they start to become weak. Even though all of this may be true, older people still have purpose in life. Patients often feel stripped from their life from dementia. “Richard Leider, one of America's preeminent executive life coaches and renowned expert on purpose and meaning in life, has postulated that purpose is fundamental to an individual's health, happiness, and longevity”(Nakonetschny). With conducting activities into nursing homes, that sense of happiness and meaning will become reestablished more and more every day. Dementia patients have family that cares for them and wishes the best for them, they do not wish to see their relatives rot away in a nursing
Clare, Rowlands, Bruce, Surr & Downs (2008) stated the phenomenon of interest very clear that the article is about the personal accounts of older adults living with dementia in a residential care home. The justification of using qualitative method was to have the personal accounts and interviews to have a better understanding of the subjective experience of being in residential care home and living with dementia (Clare, Rowlands, Bruce, Surr & Downs, 2008, pg. 712). Prior studies that were quoted in this article had used observational and questionnaire-based studies, this article took a rare approach of getting the direct accounts from the residents face to face (Clare, Rowlands, Bruce, Surr & Downs, 2008, pg. 712). The philosophical underpinning of the research method is the 28 qualitative research studies before this study focused on capturing the personal accounts and interviews through comprehensive review with utilizing the grounded theory or phenomenological methods (Clare, Rowlands, Bruce, Surr & Downs, 2008, pg. 712).